On Thursday, the City of Knoxville hosted a retirement open house for Marilyn Arber, the director of community development, and Glenn Lyons, the director of city economic development.
The open house provided a chance to honor Lyons and Arber before to their retirement and was hosted in the City Hall Community Room. In the latter years before their retirement, Lyons and Arber, who had both had long and prosperous careers in the development industry, worked in dual positions in the Knoxville community. Arber has been a major donor to numerous community programs and efforts, and Lyons has been a pivotal component and pioneer in the endeavor to transform the Knoxville, Virginia, campus into the residential and economic center that it is today. Arber thinks that she and Glenn have had an impact on the community, she tells KNIA/KRLS.
To put it another way, it’s bittersweet. We have been employed here for a considerable amount of time, and throughout that time we have developed many acquaintances and come to know many people. I hope the city has changed as a result of our efforts. Retirement and a small amount of free time are things we look forward to.
Christopher Watkins, who will assume responsibility for economic development, was also present at the open house. Watkins has been Marion County’s acting director of economic development.
